Iowa HHS Cancer Programs

Iowa HHS has many programs related to cancer prevention, screening, control and data.

Cancer Screening Programs

Iowa HHS has programs that offer eligible Iowans screening for breast, cervical, colorectal and lung cancers.

Care for Yourself –Breast and Cervical Screening Program (CFY-BCC).

• The CFY-BCC Program offers screening, diagnostic services, referrals for treatment and patient navigation. Program participants diagnosed with breast and/or cervical cancer are referred to treatment services. The CFY-BCC Program does not cover treatment services.
• For more information about eligibility or provided services, go to the Cancer Services Eligibility page.
• If you are a healthcare provider who is interested in participating in the program, go to the Cancer Provider Services page.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

• The Colorectal Cancer Screening Program partners with local public health agencies, clinics and other organizations to increase screenings for colorectal cancer. The program serves low-income Iowans who meet the eligibility requirements and provides screening tests, diagnostic services, patient navigation and referrals for treatment The goals of the program are to find colorectal cancer when it is at an early stage and to reduce colorectal cancer incidence and mortality statewide.
• For more information about eligibility or provided services, go to the Cancer Services Eligibility page.
• If you are a healthcare provider who is interested in participating in the program, go to the Cancer Provider Services page.

Lung Cancer Screening

• The Lung Cancer Screening Program at Iowa HHS partners with rural public health agencies to provide lung cancer screening to low-income Iowans living in rural areas who meet the eligibility requirements. The goals of the program are to find lung cancer when it is at an early stage and to reduce lung cancer mortality in the state.
• For more information about eligibility or provided services, go to the Cancer Services Eligibility page.
• If you are a healthcare provider who is interested in participating in the program, go to the Cancer Provider Services page.

The Iowa Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (CCCP)

The goal of the Iowa Cancer Control Program (CCCP) is to reduce cancer mortality and morbidity and increase the quality of life of those affected by cancer. Comprehensive cancer control is a collaborative process where the community combines resources to reduce the burden of cancer by working to:

• Prevent cancer from occurring whenever possible.
• Find cancer in its earliest stages through cancer screening.
• Improve the accessibility, availability, and quality of cancer treatment services and programs.
• Enhance optimal quality of life for people impacted by cancer.

Iowa HHS collaborates and helps support cancer efforts across the state of Iowa through:

• The Iowa Cancer Consortium (Iowa’s cancer coalition) and implementation of the Iowa Cancer Plan.
• The Iowa Cancer Registry
• Internal Iowa HHS programs, including the Radon Program and Tobacco Program.

Advancing Access to Colorectal Cancer Screening Evidence-Based Intervention in Clinical Settings Project

• This grant project funds clinics to increase colorectal cancer screening by using proven, evidence-based interventions. By reducing patient barriers, improving clinical workflows, and strengthening the use of electronic health record data, the project aims to help more Iowans get screened and receive timely follow-up care.
• Through this project, Iowa HHS is also expanding partnerships, training and community awareness to improve screening quality and ultimately improve colorectal cancer outcomes for Iowa residents.

Iowa HHS Cancer Program Successes

Care for Yourself – Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program

• More than 3,900 women screened in state fiscal year (FY) 2026 through the CFY‑BCC program.
• Over 10,600 women screened in the past three years, demonstrating our sustained commitment to prevention, equity, and community health.
• The program has served 58,123 unique women since its inception in 1995

Iowa Colorectal Cancer Screening Program

• More than 5,100 participants were screened in FY26.
• 1,740 fecal kits were provided to participants.
• 113 colonoscopies were provided and 104 participants had an abnormal result and were referred to additional care or had polyps removed.
• The CDC featured the Iowa Colorectal Cancer Screening Program on their website. Read the award recipient highlight..

Iowa Comprehensive Cancer Control Program

• Iowa CCCP collaborated with the Tobacco Program at Iowa HHS to implement a sustainable systems-level change within Quitline Iowa. Starting in February 2025, Quitline Iowa notifies eligible participants if they qualify for lung cancer screening. As of the end of July 2026, 594 Quitline Iowa participants have been notified that they qualify for lung cancer screening. Eligible participants are referred to the site lungscreen.health which has more information about lung cancer screening.
• A success story about the Iowa CCCP’s work to increase HPV vaccination rates among adolescents is on the National Cancer Institute’s website. Read the program's success story..
• The Iowa Cancer Consortium publishes an annual report, highlighting successes and major accomplishments. The Iowa Cancer Consortium’s FY25 annual report.

Funding Sources

• The Care for Yourself Breast and Cervical Cancer Program and the Iowa Comprehensive Cancer Program are managed by the Iowa HHS and funded in part by Cooperative Agreement NU58DP007103-05 with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state appropriations.
• The Colorectal Cancer Screening Program is managed by the Iowa HHS and funded in part by state appropriations, Cooperative Agreement NU58DP007979-02 with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling approximately $209,040,063.71 in the first year of a potential five year award with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS.
• The Lung Cancer Screening Program is managed by the Iowa HHS. This initiative is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $209,040,063.71 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.